Improved phonograph pickup apparatus



Sept. l5, 1953 B. B. BAUER 2,652,260

IMPROVED PHoNoGRAPH PICKUP APPARATUS Filed Aug. 30, 1947 2 Sheetfs-Sheet l I c INVENTOR. Belg/amm B. Bouw2 Cutorfzegs f4@ wwyw- Sept. l5, 1953 B. B. BAUER ,2,652,260 IMPPovED PHONOGRAPH PICKUP APPARATUS Filed Aug. so, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u IIIH, ,W WWIIWHIUH 53 l A /NVEN TOR Beg/'mam aur Y Byw, @a w a CIZ i 3 Patented Sept. 15, 1953 ICE IMPROVED PHON O GRAPH PICKUP APPARATUS Benjamin B. Bauer, Oak Park,

Shure Brothers, Incor corporation of Illinois Application August 30, 1947, Serial No. 7 71,433

4 Claims.

This application relates to phonograph translating devices, more particularly to such apparatus for reproducing sound from records, and it is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of this character.

Phonograph translating devices for reproducing sound from records, termed pickups, frequently are in the form of cartridges which comprise ya casing having a translating element and a coupling structure therein. Terminals in the form of prongs connected to the translating element extend from one end of the casing for easy and rapid insertion into corresponding sockets in the phonograph tone arm. A record engaging needle or stylus is arranged to project through the casing adjacent the other end for following record grooves, the stylus being attachable to the coupling structure by means of a screw, for example, usually also projecting from the casing where it is engageable by hand or with a tool. The coupling serves to transmitY mechanical movements or some function thereof from the stylus to the translating element, and the translating element serves to convert the transmitted mechanical movements into electrical variations which are transmitted through the cartridge terminals to the phonograph amplier or other reproducing device. For high quality reproduction, the sound output from the phonograph should be substantially free from extraneous noises such as needle and record talk, and needle hiss, the former being sounds radiated directly to the atmosphere because of the vibrations of the stylus, the coupling structure, and the record itself, and the latter being sounds caused by surface imperfections of the record and may pass through the pickup and phonograph.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide a pickup embodying improved stylus and coupling structure whereby extraneous noise due thereto is reduced to a minimum.

'I'he width of the groove in phonograph records varies, and when the width decreases, .a component of force upward is produced on the stylus and the pickup in. general. 'I'his eiiect may cause fluctuations of the stylus in the groove which is 'undesirable in high quality reproduction, and it 'is a further object of the invention to provide an improved stylus having vertical compliance or resilience whereby extraneous noises due to such effects are substantially prevented from reaching the translating element.

In pickups of the general character described, the translating element freuuently comprises a piezoelectric crystal made so that movements of the pickup stylus produce distortions thereof for giving an electrical output. The pickup stylus may be connected to the crystal through the medium of a torsion member wherein the torsion member .is axially arranged relative to the crystal Ill., assignor to poratcd, Chicago, Ill., a.

according to the invention, a torsion member is arranged internally of the casing which one end of the stylus is relatively easily receivable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved structure for aligning the stylus in its holder.

It is a further object of the invention to pro'- vide improved structure for for holding said stylus to said arm.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a pickup embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on a larger scale of the pickup shown in Fig. 1 with the top cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2 with `the top cover in place;

"member `'and is' T-'shap'ed-f in outline; the

Fig. 4 is an end l'elevational Viewv taken substantially in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 3 on a larger scale partially in section and partially broken away;

Fig. 6 is a view partially insection and partially broken away taken substantially in the direction of arrows G-G of Fig. 5; 3i

Fig. 'I is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a topy plan view of the torsion shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a further embodimentfof theinventiongf 'y Fig'. l0 isahorizontal'sectional-viewtaken submember stantially along lines Ill-I0 ofFig.k 9; Y Figsll is a iront elevational view taken substantially in the direction of arrows I I-I I of Fig. 9,' and f Fig. 'l2'is' a vertical sectional view-of 'a further embodiment ofthe invention. Y

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the invention vvis shown' 'embodied inl-a ,phonograph pickup It'comprising' acasingf I I'and a'translating assembly ikI2 inside thereof. Casing' IIvcomprises complementary'top and-,bottom members I3` 'and Ill respectively; these Ymembers 'being formed byl lany *well known process,l such'forexample' as by `stamping-or casting, and made of any material, such for example as brass, aluminum or'plastic; 'As shown;l casing 'members `IiVand- I4 arefsubstantially identical with each other, are rectangular in outline','a-nd when placed t'ogether'forrnv essentially a`fiorward compartment and a rearward vcompartment'which contain Vdififerent 'portions 4or `vthe` translating assembly I2, Aholes'being provided throughthe casing members whereby rivets Iyland I1fmay holding Athe pickup in assembled relation.

Translating assembly I'2'comp`rises'a frame I8, aipiezo'electric element I`9,'fsuch as a' Rochelle salt crystal, and a coupling'. structure including tor'- sion member 2l lframe I8 is generally trapezoidal in outline, may be formed from a flat piece of material bent into the c'cnii'guratio'nI shown'gand is provided with three openings', thes'ebeing respectivelyat the tal 'I9 with decreased amplitude, relatively speaking. This is done because of the fact that the crystal may be very stii and distortions of relatively smalleramplitude may be desirable.

-f rlfh'emechanism for transmitting motion to the piezoelectric element I9, including the frame I8, is described fully' and claimed in Bauer United StateskPatent'.2513269. In the forward comthe forward be inserted 'for .L

connected toframe I8. The

VVrearof the frame and alongeachside. Crystal be sealed; from the atmosphere by weights' 23 for predetermining desirable vibration characteristics Vof 'the frame andthe `cooperating structure;V

*while the "active: eminent of the translating 'assembly I2 as been shownfas'a piezoelectric element I9, it will be understood'thatfthis'isexempl'ary I`only yand elements, such condenser units or for example as magnetic units, `photoelectric funits, -lmay be The torsion member 2l is a relatively stiff thereof=being-received between prongson the front ends of the side members of frame I8. f A rubber `spacer Mis placed'between theend of torsion member `2l and the prongs whereby the coupling between frame I8 and torsion member v2I is resilient. Hence, the movements of torsion member 2I are transmitted to frame I8 and crys- `Vthat -f other suitableY ytransducing i T end al -pair of- Ibeof hardened steel forming part-mentor casing II a downwardly projecting stud 251s rigidly attached to torsion member 2| to form party of the coupling mechanism. As shownfthe stud is attached to the torsion member by riveting over, but this is by way of example only since otherwell vknownmeans may berused. The-stud is made o f some light metal, for example aluminum.,l in .forder thatthe inertia of the coupling mechanism may .beke'pt at a minimum. It projects through an opening providedin the bottom-member Idioithe'. casing.

`A pair of resilient rubberbearing members 2B and -2 lsupport torsion member 2l within the casingv II-, the bearing-members `being held within portiontthe` casing by journals formed-by -indenting :.the. .casing material as shown.; Due-to the rubberbearings or washers, the'i'.orsionfmember*mayA have slight movements both vertical-as wellifvaslhoriontal, vand its rotaf'i tionalf-movements are .resilientlyresisted, this may be being venhanced bythelfact that torsion member 2I may be rectangular., in cross section and vtherefore have av firm: gripwithin .the rubber bearings. vfFcrwa-rdly `oi the rearward'chamber there are damping rmembers v28. and 29 lying one on each side ofthe torsion member and bearing against-the inside of the housing members I3 and I4. IDamping-members 28yand 29. maybe formed oi--substances-known-as,elastomers which substances have some. resilience as well as the ability to absorb-'energy andthus supplyl some restoring fcrceto torsion member-2i in addition to dampingrundesirable resonances! thereof. At the rear of frame-I8there area painoia support members or pads 3 I andl 32- formed-oi., resilient substances such `as `ela'stourners.whereby to Avresiliently support frame' I'S and-at thesametimeprovide clamping for undesirableresonances. The members 28, 29, 3I and\32 may,for example, be made of Du Pont Pyralin-,fllypeV Xe2450i.`A Y

*Referring to. Figst and fthe stud 25 is provided with a hole 33 adjacent Vits lower end, which endisthreadedtoreceivefa nutz3ll..` NutfI may be slotted orhexagonaL-for.example,.for tightening-withra wrenchor it-may be knurled, for Aexample,y for tighteningwiththe fingers. Extending through hole-.33-is.the' shank 35 A.of a record engaging-stylus or needle 36.v

The-stylus '36. includes acurved portion 31 extendingfromfshank-.BB through .an onset portion uniform and horizontal the vertical -..The..curved portion 31 renders the stylus even more ,rigid laterallyso that lateral movements-ofv the .point 3 9, when rfollowing a record groove, are transmitted virtually directly ytothestud 25 withoutlateral distortion or bendting of the stylus along v,itslength The stylus may beformed-of any suitablematerial, such-for examplefascarbonsteel, .and ymay be formed by .stamping` 4from a round wire. TheA point 39 may a direct part of the it may be a hard point such as attached to the stylus.

stylus material or sapphire or diamond.

When vertical forces are exerted downwardly on stud and stylus 36, the curved portion 31 thereof bends somewhat along its length, but the major portion of the deflection or bending takes place adjacent the offsetting portion 38. Small vertical movements, such as due to the pinch effect already referred to, are taken account of by the vertical resilience of the stylus. When, however, substantially larger forces are exerted on the point 39, these occurring for instance when the tone arm is dropped ontol the record, it is desirable that deflections of the stylus beyond a predetermined amount be prevented in order not to exceed the elastic limit of the stylus as Well as to prevent injury to the point. This is accomplished by the provision of tusks 4I on each side of point 39 and terminating a short distance thereabove, the tusks being rigidly attached to the casing I I. When the stylus deflects due to large forces exerted thereon, the lower ends of the tusks come into contact with the record surface and thereby prevent deflection of the stylus beyond a predetermined amount.

In order to be able to align stylus 36 properly without the need of exercising unusual skill, the construction of the lower end of stud 25, nut 34, and shank 35 are such that the shank 35 may be inserted within hole 33 and the nut 34 tightened with the assurance that the stylus will be in the optimum position. According to the invention, this is accomplished in one manner by forming hole 33, such as by drilling, with its axis parallel to the axis of torsion member 2I. The shank 35, being relatively rectangular in cross section, has two upper edges 42 and 43 which engage the surface of hole 33 along lines which also are parallel to the axis of the torsion member. The underside of shank 35 is flat and the upper surface of nut 34 is flat. Moreover, the axis of stud 25 and that of nut 34 is at right angles to the axis of torsion member 2|. The upper surface of nut 34, in addition to being iiat, is also at right angles to the axis of stud 25. Accordingly, when nut 34 is tightened against the flat undersurface of shank 35, the upper edges 42 and 43 thereof are forced against the upper surface of hole 33. Since the axis of hole 33 is parallel to the axis of torsion member 2I, the shank 35 of the stylus is held parallel to the axis of the torsion member, and since the coacting surfaces of nut 34 and shank 35 are flat, the stylus is held to lie substantially in a vertical plane containing the axis of the torsion member, and consequently the point 39 is maintained in the proper position for engaging the record surface.

'Ihe axis of stud 25 being at right angles to that of the torsion member, tightening the nut 34 to hold the stylus tends to produce only lateral forces upon the end of torsion member 2l connected to frame I8, and not rotational forces exerted about 4its axis. Distortions of frame I8 are thus lacking when nut 34 is being tightened, and consequently no distortions of crystal I9 occur. Hence there is no disagreeable noise produced in an operating phonograph when the stylus is being changed and there is no danger of applying damaging forces to the crystal.

The offset portion 38, in addition to providing desired vertical resilience for the stylus, by coming up against nut 34 prevents shank 35 from being pushed through hole 33 beyond the optimum point. Hence, the position of the needle in hole 33, both as to its position lengthwise of the pickup and its proper position for playing a record, is automatically taken account of.

is in use, the point 39 of the groove of the record and the thereof are transmitted by means of the stylus and stud to torsion member 2|. Rotations of the torsion member effect distortions of frame I8 and consequent distortions of crystal I 9 to produce output as already described.

The stylus 36 is a small light member, its transverse dimension for example being of the order of .03 inch, and the weight of stud made small through the use of lightweight material. Thus, the rotational moment of inertia introduced by the stud 25 and stylus 36 may be kept small. The maximum transverse dimensions of the torsion member 2| also being made small, the rotational moment of inertia introduced by this portion of the coupling system is also small. Accordingly, the total moment of inertia may be kept relatively small and transverse movements of the point 39 are transmitted relatively faithfully to crystal I9. Large amplitudes of vibration at natural frequencies caused by the resilience of stylus 36 and the mass of stud 25 and torsion member 2I are largely damped out through the use of the damping members 28 and 29.

The output of crystal I 9 is carried by means of conductors inside of shields 44 and 45 to prongs 46 and 41 for conduction to the phonograph amplier, the prongs being supported in an insulating member 48 forming a closure for the rear end of casing II. Prong 46 is grounded to casing II by the conducting strip 49.

The embodiment of the invention shown in tal as described, half members 5I and 52 which are somewhat longer in order to support the torsion member The torsion member is supported in the forward end of casing members 5I and 52 by means of rubber or elastomer pads 54, 55 and 56 which serve to dampen undesired vibrations thereof and provide some restoring force therefor. Torsion member 53 may be of any suitable shape and sion member.

Openings are provided in the sides of casing members 5I and 52 through which studs 59 and 6I project, these openings being sufficiently large correction may be obtained with both styluses.

Pairs of tusks 64 and 65 are attached to the casing such as by riveting, for example, and are placed in position substantially in line transvers'ely l.with the stylus points so that excessive movements-'of the pickup either upward or down-` ward are prevented by the tusks coming into contact with the records.

While in the foregoing embodiments of the invention the crystal was subjected to twisting stresses through the use of a torsion member rotated by the stylus, the stylus construction and the manner of attaching it to the pickup of my invention present a convenient manner of constructing a pickup in which the crystal or other transducing member is placed under bending stresses. Such constructions are shown in Figs. 9, 10, 1l and 12; s

Inthe modification shown in Figs. 9, and 11, a crystal 66 is supported within a casing 61 by pairs of resilient pads 68 and 69 made of rubber or an elastomer, the pads 99 being substantially at the rear of the crystal and the pads t9 being in between the rear and forward ends of the crystal.` Casing 61 may be made of any suitable material such for example as metal or plastic andv consists of a pair of halves 'il and 12 held together by rivets, for example. Leads 13 and 14 extending from the crystal are connected respectively to prongs or studs 15 and iii by means of which the voltage impulses from the crystal are transmitted to the phonograph amplifying apparatus. Suitable openings are provided in the casingand insulating members 19 are arranged therein for supporting studs 15 and 15. The structure for placing crystal B under bending stress is arranged at the end of the pickup opposite to studs 15 and 16, and the supporting pad 68 is arranged at an intermediate portionof the crystal in order that the forward extremity may be bent back and forth.

At the extreme forward end of the pickup the casing halves are provided with suitable openings in which may be received resilient supporting membersV 1,1 and18, the axis of these members and openings. extending vertically. Centrally held within resilient members 11 and is is a vertical rod 19 having an enlarged portion 3l substantially at its center. The lower end of rod 19 extends outwardly of the pickup and is adapted to have a stylus attached thereto as will be explained hereinafter. A hole is drilled through portion 8l and a driving member or paddle 82 is pushed. therethrough so that its forward end 83 extends into a recess 84 provided in the pickup casing. The rear end of paddle 82 consists of a flattened portion surrounding which a resilient spacer 85 is placed. A connecting link 9E is bifurcated at each end in order that it may grip paddle G2 and spacer 85 and at the same time grip the forward end of crystal 66.

. It will be apparent from this construction that whenever rod19 is rotated about its axis, paddle E2 is .rotated .and moves the end of crystal 9E sidewise back and forth with it. Spacer 85 absorbs. some undesirable vibrations and cushions shocks. Y

' At the lower end of rod 19 projecting outwardly of the casing, an enlarged portion 81 is provided which is threaded and which has a hole drilled therethrough in a manner hereinbefore described.

Stylus 88, which is similar to the styluses already described, is placed within the hole in the enlarged portion 81, and a nut 89 holds the stylus to the stud in a manner already described. When the `point of stylus 88 engages a record having lateral grooves therein, the end of the stylus moves sidewise and accordingly causes rod 19 to rotate back and forth, this'rotational movement placing the crystal under bending stresses.

Connecting link 86may be shifted lengthwise thereof intodifferent positions relative to the axis of rod 19thereby changing the distance Z2, that is,-the distance from the axis of rod 19 to the point .where link 86 engages the paddle. Changing kthe distance Z2 relative to the distance Z1, i. e. the distance from the axis of rod 19 to the point of the stylus 88, varies the leverage exerted by the stylus and thereby greater or lesser bending forces maybe applied to the crystal, as desired. In addition to the strong bending force obtainedfby this construction, the effective mass and stiffness is reduced, i. e. by the ratio This is advantageous in that a more faithful response is produced in the crystal output.

The rod 19 rotating around its vertical axis, its effective moment of inertia is small and the contribution of its mass to the mass as the stylus point is therefore small. In this manner, a pickup is produced which has high compliance and good output and yet one which has an extremely small needle mass and stiffness..

`In order. that excessive bending movements of rods 19 may not injure crystal 65, the recess 84 in the forward end of the crystal is so constructed that the forward end 83 of paddle 82 engages the sides of recess 84 whenever the desired limits of movement are exceeded. Y

Stylus S8 is prevented from being injured by excessive vertical movements by studs or prongs 9| extending downwardly from the forward end of the casing along each side of the stylus as may be seen best in Fig. 11.

The embodiment of Fig. l2 is similar in its general'arrangement to the embodiment of Figs. 9, l0 and 11, and differs therefrom mainly in that the construction is such that the pickup may be used for two-sided operation. To this end crystal 92 is supported inside of a casing comprising a pair of members. At the forward end of the pickup casing, a shaft 93 is arranged to be supported. in suitable openings by means of resilientbearing members 94 and 95. Each end of the rod or shaft 93 projects outwardly of the casing and includes respectively enlarged portions 96 and 91 which are threaded and have holes drilled therein to receive styluses '98 and 99 'in a manner asl hereinbefore described.

The angular position'of shaft 93 is made such that when two identical styluses 93 and 99 are used, the points thereof lie in a line perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the pickup, this being advantageous inorder that the same relative point in a record may be engaged byeither stylus irrepective of which side of the pickup is being use i l Intermediate the ends of rod 93 there is an enlarged portionr 10| through which a hole extends to receive a paddle H12, the paddle having a forward end Ill?.v received in a suitable recess in the {casing to prevent excessive movements of rod 93. The rear end of paddle |02 is `covered with apieceof spacing material |98 and connected to crystal 92 by means of a bifurcated member |04.

Accordingly, it will beseen that lateral movement of styluses 98 and 99 effect a rotational movement of shaft 93 and paddle m2, thereby placing .crystal` 92 under bending stresses.

The styluses 98 and 99 differ somewhat from the styluses previously described inasmuch as these styluses are held in rod 93 which extends at an acute angle relative to the axis of the pickup rather than at right angles thereto. `Secondly, the rear or attaching portion of the styluses is bent upwardly at an angle relative to the forward or curved portion. The curved portions of styiuses 98 and 99 are similar to the curved forward portions of the previously described styluses, the only difference being in bending the rearward portion so that the styluses will assume proper positions.

The upper and lower members of the casing are also provided with projecting members ISS and I 07 on each side of the styluses to prevent excessive vertical movement thereof.

Claims directed primarily to the stylus disclosed herein have been divided from this case and are being asserted in copending application Serial No. 90,688, :tiled April 3G, 1949, now Patent No. 2,583,289, issued January 22, 1952, and claims directed to the coupling arrangement between the stylus and the transducing means disclosed herein have Vbeen divided from this case and are being asserted Serial No. 99,687, iiled April 30, 1949.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters ,i

Patent is:

1. In a transducing device for use with a phonograph record, a transducing member, a driving member coupled to said transducing member, bearing means for mounting said driving member for angular oscillation about an axis generally parallel to the record surface in the normal operating position, an arm fixed to said driving member and extending from said driving member transversely with respect to said axis and toward said record surface, said arm having an opening extending transversely therethrough at a `portion thereof remote from said driving member, a stylus insertable and removable in said opening, said stylus having portions extending beyond said arm on both sides thereof, and a. clamping member mounted exteriorly on said remote portion of said arm and being movable axially of said arm into clamping engagement with said extending portions of said stylus to exert a clamping force thereagainst in a direction parallel to the axis of said arm.

2. In a mechano-electric transducer for use with a phonograph record, a transducing member, a driving member coupled to said transducing member, bearing means for mounting said driving member for angular oscillation about an axis generally parallel to the record surface in the normal operating position, an arm xed to said driving member and extending from said driving member transversely with respect to said `axis and toward said record surface, said arm having an opening therein extending transversely of said arm at :a portion thereof remote from said driving member, a stylus insertable and removable in said opening, a clamping member in threaded engagement with said remote portion of said arm and being screwable lengthwise from the remote portion of said arm in -copending application i0 into clamping engagement with said stylus in said opening.

3. In a mechano-electric transducer for use with a phonograph record, a transducing memof. said arm and being screwable lengthwise of said arm into clamping engagement with said extending portion of the stylus when the stylus of said arm, ber having fiat surfaces in cooperative relation to each other whereby the orientation. of said stylus in said opening is ixed.

4. In a pickup of the replaceable stylus type for use with a phonograph record, a transducing member, a driving member coupled to said transducing member, means for mounting said driving member for angular oscillation about an bearing against one of the ilattened sides of said shank portion.

BENJAMIN B. BAUER. References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

